This page is meant to serve as a NCAA compliance guide to friends, family and supporters of the Canisius College Athletics program. By developing a familiarity with the NCAA regulations regarding representatives of Canisius’ athletics interests, you can help our department maintain the highest standards of integrity and success

The information below is designed to provide a brief summary of NCAA rules and regulations for representatives of Canisius College interests.

In line with NCAA philosophy, the control and conduct of the Canisius College athletics program includes being held accountable for the acts of all individuals that have been identified as athletics representatives.

This information should be viewed as a guide to the general understanding of NCAA rules, as it is not complete due to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of NCAA rules and regulations. Violations of NCAA legislation by athletic representatives can result in the loss of a student-athlete’s athletic eligibility or disciplinary action against Canisius College.

If you are not certain about a NCAA rule, please do not hesitate to contact the Canisius College Athletics Department or Compliance Office before proceeding.

Bill MaherDirector of Athletics

Are you a Booster?

A representative of Canisius College’s athletics interests, or a booster, is defined by the NCAA as an individual, independent agency, corporate entity or other organization who is known to:

Have participated in or is a current member of a group/organization that promotes Canisius’ athletics programs;

Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or an athletics booster group;

Be assisting or to have been requested (by an athletics department staff member) to assist in the recruitment of a prospect;

Be assisting or have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or

Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletics programs.

Common examples are season ticket holders, individuals who have donated to the Blue & Gold Fund, parents/guardians of student-athletes, etc.

Once an individual or organization is identified as a booster, that identity is retained indefinitely.

The Do’s and Don’ts as a Canisius Booster

The following actions by a booster could result in NCAA violations and potentially affect the eligibility of prospective student-athletes and/or current student-athletes. Please be cognizant that this list is not all inclusive, and do not hesitate to contact the Compliance Office with any questions.

Providing a student-athlete, a prospective student-athlete, or his/her relatives and friends with any type of extra benefit. Including, but not limited to: cash or loans; gifts; free or reduced cost services, rentals or purchases; tickets to professional athletic events; etc.

Contact (on or off campus) or call a prospect, his/her family, coaches or high school administrations in an attempt to secure hi/her enrollment at Canisius and/or participation in our athletics program.

Purchase signed memorabilia, athletic awards, or other personal items from student-athletes from an unauthorized source.

Using a student-athlete’s name, image or likeness to promote your local business, organization or any commercial venue.

Even when acting in good faith, boosters can inadvertently be involved in activities that could trigger NCAA violations. Canisius supporters can show their support of our athletics programs without jeopardizing compliance with NCAA regulations in the following ways:

Host an occasional meal for a specific team. Please seek out approval by the Compliance Office prior to such a meal by submitting an Occasional Meal: Booster Form (Word Document)

Speak with current student-athletes at banquets, athletic events and other promotional activities they are involved in.

Provide employment or internship opportunities for student-athletes in the community. Please make sure these student-athletes are treated as other employees and are being paid the going rate for services actually performed.

Notify coaches of outstanding talent in your area. Please do not approach prospects on your own, as boosters are not certified to recruit on behalf of Canisius athletics.

Continue to support Canisius College and its athletics department by donating to institutional funds, booster groups and teams.

The best way to support the Canisius College Athletics Department is to remain enthusiastic fans by attending athletic events and fundraisers, purchasing season tickets, showing your Golden Griffin pride in the community and helping to create a positive environment where all of our student-athletes have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Donation Requests, Student-Athlete and Coach Appearance Requests

In certain instances it is permissible for Canisius institutional groups, charitable, educational, or non-profit agencies to use a student-athlete’s name, picture or appearance to support its charitable or educational activities. Additionally, it may also be permissible for the Canisius College Athletics Department to donate items to such organizations to assist in their charitable or fundraising efforts.

Due to the variety of NCAA regulations that can potentially affect the permissibility of donations, student-athlete appearances and coach appearances, all requests must be submitted through the Office of External Affairs and approved by the Compliance Office. If interested in any of these, please complete the appropriate form below and submit to:

Many rules regarding the treatment of prospective student-athletes and current student-athletes raise questions amongst boosters who have personal relationships, or are related to individuals who fall into either category. In instances where a “pre-existing relationship” has been established between you and a prospect or a student-athlete, certain actions will not result in NCAA violations. In these cases it is permissible to continue your current relationship with that individual and provide him/her occasional benefits, so long as the nature of your relationship and benefits provided to the individual does not change due to their status as a prospect or student-athlete.

If you believe to have an established pre-existing relationship with a prospect or current student-athlete, please complete and submit a Declaration of Pre-Existing Relationship Form(Word Document) to the Compliance Office to ensure the permissibility and documentation of your relationship.

Compliance Contact Information

If you ever have any compliance related inquiries or need further clarification on this information, please do not hesitate to contact the Compliance Office.